26th June 2013

More Than God-For-Sale

“Now John answered Him, saying, ‘Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.’”Mark 9:38-40 (NKJV)

I was at the Christian Resources Exhibition again at Sandown Park, South London recently. I’m always uneasy and often come away very uncomfortable. It’s not that I disagree with the idea of an exhibition where God can be put on display for everyone to see clearly the work being done. No, it’s the concept of God-for-sale.

There are, of course, many Christian individuals and organisations doing sterling work who thrust on you literature and the like as you pass by. And I always read it later and marvel at the variety of what is done and for whom in the Lord’s name. Surely our God reaches out to people in every way to touch the lives of as many people who will allow him? That has to be good.

But then again I sometimes have this uncomfortable twinge that there are those, for whatever reason, who are cashing in on the Christian scene—at least I wouldn’t do it the way they are. But then they wouldn’t do it my way either.

Then I remember the scripture quoted above, and relax somewhat. God knows our every motive, whether right or wrong. And more than that, he can even return good from someone or something with the wrong motive. There are a number of Christian Resource Exhibitions around the country. If one comes your way, may I recommend that you plan to attend? And, no, I don’t have shares or any remuneration from them. It’s just that in a world that is increasingly non-Christian, it’s actually good to go somewhere and see so many who are unashamed and unafraid to let their Christian light shine, and to see that Christianity in its many guises is not dead in this land. Sure, you’ll see things with which you may disagree, but let’s concentrate on the positives—here at least everyone is for Christ, not against him. And that makes it a whole lot more than just God-for-sale.

Prayer
Great Father, the society in which we live seems so often to be wholly opposed to you and your way of life. So it is good to see Christianity in action, openly and with great boldness. It encourages. Help us to focus always on the good, minimise the bad, which is always with us as well, and to dedicate our lives, good and bad, to you. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen